belt-buckle
- Museum number
- 2009,6023.191
- Description
-
Silver belt-buckle (ibzim) for boys up to the age of 10 or 12. Shaped as a rectangle with two pointed ends. Chased decoration on the front with symmetrical patterns of curling vine-leaves and flowers enclosed within pentagon-shapes, and a vertical row of four round domes in the centre. The back has silver fixings and a smaller buckle with pin. To be worn attached to a leather belt. Northern Oman.
- Production date
- 1950s
- Dimensions
-
Length: 13.50 centimetres (including small buckle)
-
Weight: 57 grammes
-
Width: 5 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- For similar examples see: Ruth Hawley, 'Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman' (London, 2000); Jehan S. Rajab, 'Silver Jewellery of Oman' (Kuwait, 1997); Neil Richardson and Marcia Dorr, 'The Craft Heritage of Oman' (Dubai, 2003); Miranda Morris and Pauline Shelton, 'Oman Adorned: A Portrait in Silver' (Muscat, 1997).
"Until a boy is old enough to wear the traditional khanjar [dagger] at around 10-12 years of age, he will wear a buckle." Avelyn Forster, 'Disappearing Treasures of Oman' (Clevedon, 1998), p.90.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Fair
- Acquisition date
- 2009
- Acquisition notes
- This object is part of a collection of 20th century silver items (2009,6023.1 ff.) acquired in Oman between 1987-1995. This collection was mainly acquired in the markets of Nizwa, Mutrah and Rustaq and a small number of pieces were acquired in Sur, Wadi Bani Ouf, Bahla, Ibra and Ibri.
- Department
- Middle East
- Registration number
- 2009,6023.191
